(ARA) – Natural stone and ceramic tile floors have great design, architectural and sculptural qualities. But they can be expensive, hard to clean, cold to walk on and not very durable.

So imagine transforming your aging flooring with the look of rich travertine, limestone, concrete, slate or ceramic tiles, but without the cost or frailty of these lavish coverings. Today’s luxury vinyl tile (LVT) products echo the look and styling of these natural materials but also live up to the rigors and traffic of day-to-day family life. Luxury vinyl tile offers the perfect marriage of design and durability for today’s busy homes. Available in a wide range of colors, styles and textures, LVT works in every room of the house, giving homeowners unlimited options for fresh style.

“Luxury vinyl tile pops with depth and realism, combining classic and contemporary elements that deliver clean design and stylish floors,” says Erica Hubbard, Tarkett director of marketing – NAFCO Luxury Floors. “You get all the design features of natural materials with a much more durable floor. When you stand on these floors and look down at them, you’re hard pressed to tell you’re not really standing on limestone, travertine, concrete or slate.”

Unlike their lookalike natural counterparts, today’s LVT floors are created to resist scuffs, stains, scratches and wear. This is due to durable construction and even protective wear layers or coatings, such as Tritonite, exclusively used in NAFCO Luxury Floors. These hardworking construction details help keep floors looking new and wear-free.

Flexible, comfortable LVT floors also have the advantage of being warmer and quieter than hard-surface natural tile floors. Soft underfoot, they don’t produce a hollow sound like other flooring options.

Another benefit over “real” stone and tile is the safety aspect of LVT. Unlike stone or tile, LVT isn’t as slippery when wet. Glass or china is less likely to shatter if accidentally dropped and little knees won’t get scraped during falls.

Further adding to LVT’s realistic look is the fact that some of these floors can feature three very different installations options: for example, the NAFCO Luxury Floors’ PermaStone collection is available in GroutFit, which produces a realistic grout effect; GroutLess where tiles install edge to edge without grout or seam sealer for a uniquely modern look; and GroutFil, an option of 14 pre-mixed, stain-resistant, acrylic-based grout colors to create an endless number of pattern and grout possibilities and also heighten the mimicry of real stone.

“The option to include grout with luxury vinyl tile floors allows homeowners to combine tile and grout colors in a way that customizes a look that ties their home together,” Hubbard says, adding that grouted LVT floors are much easier to install than traditional ceramic tile. They’re also more cost efficient, Hubbard notes.

Maintenance for LVT floors, even grouted ones, is minimal. Forget the sealing, polishing and special cleaners required for natural tile floors. Luxury vinyl tile requires only the use of a neutral floor cleaner and water. No harsh chemicals are needed for the tiles or the grout.

“LVT is a practical choice that looks fabulous and stands up to everyday wear and tear,” Hubbard says. “Combine that with its easy installation, great performance characteristics and the fact that it won’t break the budget and you have the perfect summer DIY project for beautiful floors.”